SEATTLE — Weston McKennie, the Juventus midfielder who grew up in Little Elm and played in the FC Dallas youth system from 2009 to 2016, went the full 96 minutes Friday as the U.S. Men’s National Team defeated Australia 2-0 to clinch a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout round.
McKennie (No. 8), making his second World Cup appearance after starting all four U.S. matches in the 2022 tournament, was substituted only in stoppage time as the Americans secured their second consecutive shutout. The USMNT has now posted eight World Cup clean sheets all-time.
The Americans scored in the 11th minute when Australia defender Cameron Burgess knocked a Folarin Balogun cross into his own net. FC Dallas product Ricardo Pepi (No. 9, El Paso) applied the pressure in the six-yard box. Defender Alex Freeman headed home the second in the 43rd minute, becoming the first USMNT defender to score at a World Cup since John Brooks in 2014.
The USMNT dominated the opening half with 70 percent possession and 259 accurate passes to Australia’s 78. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino deployed Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, A. Robinson; Adams, Tillman, McKennie; Dest; Pepi, Balogun, with captain Christian Pulisic sidelined by a calf injury.
The United States opened the tournament with a 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.
Texas ties on the pitch